When you Sleep
The week had gone by quicky, with Waverly stopping by the station every day with coffee for Nicole – who would reward her every time with a heart stopping smile and a sweet kiss. She would stay every day until Nedley would walk out of his office, look at the two, and clear his throat – something that would result in Waverly all but jumping off Nicole’s lap – before saying “officer Haught, would you mind seeing miss Earp out? I’m sure she’s gotten all she came for and then some.” Nedley would walk back into his office, a smile playing on his lips, and while Nicole would laugh at the slightly awkward encounter and Waverly’s reaction, Waverly would gently punch her arm and say, “Nicole! That’s your boss, I’m sure you’re not giving the best impression by having me around all the time…” Nicole would simply shrug, pulling Waverly back to her, and say “I’m sure Nedley doesn’t mind having you around – in fact, I think he likes you. And I’m pretty sure he thinks I’m okay too, so I say we’re good!”
Nicole had, as promised, called Waverly Monday night. She’d also called her every night since, because not hearing Waverly’s voice before she went to sleep every night had somehow become a thing that made it impossible for Nicole to fall asleep. Waverly was, of course, not complaining – hell, if it were up to her Nicole would be back in her arms every night! But she could see how that might be too soon. That didn’t stop her, however, from begging every single night for Nicole to come over, which is how they ended up in the same bed come Friday afternoon when Nicole had agreed to come over as soon as she got out of work.
“I have waited this whole entire very long week for this exact moment,” Waverly mumbled out from where her face was buried in the crook of Nicole’s neck.
Laughing, Nicole said, “I know, baby. Me too,” as she kissed the top of Waverly’s head.
They laid in comfortable silence for a while, both happy and content being in the other’s company. Eventually Nicole could feel Waverly’s breaths even out, and when she lifted her head to look at Waverly’s face she saw the tired mess that was her girlfriend, fast asleep and seemingly calm and free of worries. Nicole couldn’t help but smile, and as she wound her arms a little tighter around the other girl she let out a yawn and closed her eyes, feeling just how exhausted she really was after another busy week. It was only a matter of minutes before Nicole was in a deep sleep herself.
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When Nicole woke up a couple of hours later, the smile that graced her face quickly turned into a frown as she turned around and found that Waverly had left. She tried blinking the sleep out of her eyes as she slowly sat up and looked around the room, and sure enough, Waverly was nowhere to be seen.
“Wave?” Nicole yelled out as she climbed out of bed. She stilled for a moment to hear for a response or any sound at all really. It was only when she was about halfway down the stair she heard music coming from the kitchen alongside the sound of pots and pans being moved around.
She couldn’t help the smile that took over her face as she walked towards the kitchen and was met with the sight of Waverly working her way around the kitchen, hips swaying with the music, smile firmly planted on her face, some pasta dish that smelled heavenly on the stove. This girl will be the death of me, Nicole thought as she figured she’d stood in the doorway long enough and made her way over to Waverly who still hadn’t noticed Nicole’s presence.
Waverly felt two strong arms wrap around her waist and jumped slightly before relaxing into Nicole’s hold and sighing happily, “did you sleep okay?”
Nicole pecked her cheek then, and replied, “best nap I ever took.”
“Good,” Waverly answered as she reluctantly moved from Nicole’s embrace to make sure nothing was burning, “I’m glad.”
“Actually,” Nicole started as she moved a little out of the way, “it feels like I slept better and got more energized from that two-hour nap just now, here, with you, than I’ve done all week without you.”
Waverly only hummed in agreement, , so Nicole kept going, “I mean, think between us have been moving pretty quickly… But I-“ Nicole halted for a minute as she saw Waverly freeze up for only a second, but it was enough to have Nicole quickly reassure her and recover. “Not a bad thing, by the way, not at all!” She let out a nervous breath as she saw Waverly’s smile reappear on her face before continuing, “what I mean to say is, I know we’ve not known each other for the longest of times, but it feels like I’ve known you forever… Everything feels so natural, and comfortable, and just good. Everything feels good with you.”
Waverly walked up to Nicole and wrapped her arms around her neck, and standing on her toes she gently pulled on Nicole’s neck to bring her down to her in a sweet kiss, “I know.”
Before Waverly could turn and walk away again, Nicole reached for her arm, “oh no you don’t,” pulled her back to her, and gave her a lingering kiss.
Waverly let out a short laugh when they broke apart, feeling her cheeks warm up a little, before asking in a slightly teasing manner, “now may I go make sure our dinner doesn’t burn into nothing? I mean I’d like a great singing voice as much as the next girl, but I’d also really like it if my dinner didn’t turn all black…”
Nicole flashed her a smile, dimples on full display and unknowingly making Waverly’s knees go weak, before nodding once and walking over to the cupboard. She started taking out a couple of plates, a couple of glasses, some cutlery, figuring the least she could do to help with dinner was set the table.
Waverly shook her head and smiled as she watched Nicole for a minute, wondering how she’d become so lucky, before remembering what she was doing and rushing back over to the stove.
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After having eaten in mostly comfortable silence, occasionally catching each other mid-stare and quickly looking away, the two were now sat on the sofa, watching a movie per Waverly’s request.
They had actually intended to watch the movie, and had spent all of fifteen minutes paying attention before getting lost in each other instead. Well, Nicole had tried – and mostly succeeded – in focusing on the movie. Waverly, on the other hand, had managed to actually pay attention for about half a minute before her eyes drifted off to watch the red head next to her. She told herself it was okay though, because how could anyone pay attention to anything with this gorgeous girl sitting right next to her?
When Nicole caught on, she’d become half-invested in the movie they were watching, and so she simply placed her arm around Waverly and kissed her temple. Waverly, however, had other plans. This movie was not at all of interest to her right now, but Nicole was. Which is why she, in an attempt to gain Nicole’s full attention sat up and straddled her before crashing her lips against Nicole’s.
It took Nicole no more than a second to respond, and once she did, she sighed happily and brought her arms around Waverly, hoping to bring her closer. Waverly caught on, and before Nicole could do or say anything to stop her, she was being pushed down on the couch by Waverly, not once breaking the kiss as Waverly placed herself on top of her.
When they did finally break the kiss they were both out of breath, and Nicole asked while laughing, “not that I’m complaining, but I thought you wanted to watch a movie? Not make out like a couple of teenagers.”
Waverly simply shrugged, “I changed my mind,” before going back to kissing Nicole.
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The couple had eventually slowed down and broken apart, and Waverly had somehow placed herself between the back of the couch and Nicole, propping herself up on her elbow. She was gently tracing the lines of Nicole’s face, watching her eyebrows twitch as she reached them, and her lips turning into a slight smile as she neared them – she was completely mesmerized by this girl lying next to her.
Nicole was staring up at Waverly, not completely able to read her expression at the moment, and decided to ask with a smile, “why are you looking at me like that?”
Waverly smiled back just as bright and answered, “because you’re beautiful,” before shifting and laying her head down on Nicole’s chest.
Nicole wound her arms around her in a tight hold and closed her eyes, wanting this moment to last forever. For the first time in a long time she was completely happy.
Not much later, Nicole could hear the familiar sound of Waverly’s breaths evening out and she knew the girl was almost asleep. Waverly’s relaxed face was just as beautiful as earlier when she’d looked at peace and asleep, and as she tucked a strand of hair away from Waverly’s face, she couldn’t help but admire her and say, “you’re so beautiful when you sleep.”
Waiting a second and not receiving a response she continued, “you’re always beautiful, but when you sleep you seem so at peace, completely relaxed, completely comfortable, completely angelic really…”
Waverly shifted then, tightening her hold on Nicole and mumbling, “it’s just because you’re here, usually when I sleep I look like shit.”
Nicole let out a laugh as she ran a hand through Waverly’s hair, closing her own eyes and letting sleep carry her away once again, feeling completely at ease with Waverly in her arms – everything was good with Waverly.